Senior System Engineer

Department: Software Development

Employment Type: Permanent employee

Schedule: Full-time

Seniority: Experienced

Location: Delft Headquarter

We are looking for a System Engineer to help design, integrate, and deliver Kitepower’s airborne wind energy systems as a coherent, high-performance whole.

In this role, you will operate at the intersection of simulation, control, software, and hardware development. You will set goals into technical requirements, ensure alignment between virtual models and physical systems, and meet deadlines in accordance with project management.

You will work closely with Simulation Engineers, Control Engineers, Software Engineers, Hardware Engineers, and Project Management to ensure that complex, interdependent subsystems function together as intended — from early concept through flight testing and deployment.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys system thinking, is comfortable with technical uncertainty, and thrives in a hands-on, fast-moving R&D environment.

What you will be doing

System definition & architecture

• Defining and structuring system architecture
• Define and maintain system-level requirements, interfaces, and performance metrics for the kite and ground station
• Translate high-level goals (energy yield, flight performance, safety) into concrete technical requirements
• Ensure consistency between system architecture, simulation models, control strategies, and hardware implementation
• Support trade-off studies and design decisions across disciplines

Project & delivery support

• Work closely with the Project Manager to define technical scope, milestones, and dependencies
• Track system-level risks, assumptions, and open technical questions
• Support planning and prioritization by providing system-level insight into effort, risk, and complexity
• Contribute to technical documentation, decision logs, and design reviews

System modeling & understanding

• Work closely with simulation engineers on system-level models of the kite, ground station, and power conversion system
• Use data from simulations and field tests to refine system requirements

Integration & coordination

• Act as a technical integrator between simulation, control, software, and hardware teams
• Align development cycles between virtual (simulation) and physical (hardware/testing) domains
• Identify and resolve interface, dependency, and integration challenges early

Continuous improvement

• Help improve Kitepower’s systems engineering practices, tools, and ways of working
• Introduce best practices for managing complex, multidisciplinary R&D systems
• Support the scaling of Kitepower’s development organization as systems grow in size and maturity

Tools & technologies

You will collaborate closely with teams using:

• Simulation & modeling: Julia, MATLAB/Simulink, Modelica (experience with any is valuable)
• Software & control: C++, Python
• System engineering & project tools: Jira, Linear, MS Project, Confluence, Notion (or similar)
• Domains: flight dynamics, control systems, system identification, mechatronics, energy systems

We are looking for a system-oriented engineer with a strong technical foundation and experience working across disciplines.

You likely have:

• A Master’s or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience working on complex technical systems (aerospace, robotics, drones, energy systems, mechatronics, or similar)
• Strong understanding of dynamic systems, control, and system behavior
• Experience working with Python based simulation models and real-world hardware or field testing
• The ability to communicate clearly across technical domains and align diverse teams

Bonus points for experience with:

• Airborne wind energy or renewable energy systems
• System identification or data-driven modeling
• Flight dynamics or real-time control systems
• Hardware-software integration in safety-critical systems

At Kitepower, we believe that changing the world should be an exciting and rewarding journey. We invest in our team members' growth and well-being, offering a package that includes:

• An attractive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• A key role in a pioneering company at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution.
• High impact: the direct opportunity to see your work materialize and make a tangible difference in accelerating the world's transition to clean energy.
• A dynamic culture: a flat, open, and collaborative work environment where your ideas are valued and your voice is heard.
• Innovation-driven work: the chance to tackle unique, complex challenges with cutting-edge technology, from simulation to flight.
• Professional growth: continuous learning opportunities in a multidisciplinary field that blends aerospace, mechatronics, power systems and software.

Join us

If you want to help shape the future of renewable energy, challenge yourself with cutting-edge technology, and make a real impact on the world, Kitepower is the place to be.